Design

Did you know? A minor in design is a great way for students to diversify an academic major and to incorporate design processes, design skills, and design thinking into the overall academic experience.

The minor in design provides students an overview of basic visual communication skills and the concerns of the communication design professions. Learn more about the graphic design and the advertising design program at the Department of Art and Design.

Distinctive features

In-house design studio offers real-world business and professional experiences.

Opportunities abound for internships at graphic and advertising design firms, museums and many other businesses and organizations.

Visiting artist program brings to campus accomplished artists or designers.

Study-abroad programs in locations such as Italy, Ireland and France expose students to the exciting and wide world of culture and art.

Students can gain hands-on experience designing University publications such as The Northern Review (student newspaper), Polar Droppings (department newsletter) and The Northern (University yearbook).

Facilities

The department of art & design is housed in the Wilson Art Center for the Visual Arts, providing students with updated equipment, resources, wireless capabilities and a stimulating environment in which to work. Most beginning courses meet in the drawing studio, which is well-equipped with drawing tables, group work stations and storage space to meet the individual needs of students. The students also have access to the design computer studio. This space contains the latest Macintosh computers, scanners, color and black and white laser printers, digital cameras, updated software and a small periodical library. A design studio, located next to the computer studio, is well equipped with drafting tables, light board tables, and group work stations. Most class presentations take place in the lecture room, located adjacent to the visual resource library. This department library contains thousands of slides to numerous videotapes, DVDs and books for instruction.

The students' senior capstone projects are displayed in the Elzay Gallery of Art. The gallery is connected to the classroom-studio building by a loggia and is used to display work of artists of invited exhibitions and student shows throughout the year. Other studio/classrooms located in the Wilson Art Center include a painting studio and a printmaking studio. A variety of gas electric, soda, and raku kilns and furnaces are adjoined to the ceramics and sculpture studios.

Student organizations

AIGA/The Professional Association for Design: The ONU student chapter of AIGA is a pre-professional group for students interested in design. AIGA’s purpose is to further excellence in design as a strategic tool for business and a cultural force. AIGA is committed to stimulating thinking about design through the exchange of ideas and information, and encourage education and ethical practice. Student leaders have organized field trips to museums and galleries, sponsored gallery openings, software workshops, and resume and portfolio workshops, attended career fairs and conferences and coordinated guest speakers and design projects.

Other student organizations in the department include Kappa Pi National Art Honorary, National Art Education Association and the Student Art League.

Program outcomes

The department of art and design is committed to teaching and learning through an intensive, structured and sequential program of visual studies and liberal arts education. Our goal is to develop students as creative, productive and intellectually curious artists and designers capable of historical and cultural insight, critical thinking and technical proficiency in an area of emphasis.